Agency Costs in Capital Structure

Corporate Finance Fundamentals · 4:44

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Lyrics

[Verse 1]
When a company needs money to grow and expand
Three players enter with different plans
Shareholders want the highest return they can get
Managers play it safe, avoiding all debt
Creditors just want their money back whole
But these competing interests take their toll

[Chorus]
Agency costs are hiding in the fight
Between the parties who don't see eye to eye
Shareholders, managers, creditors too
Each one's incentive makes the costs accrue
Monitor and bond, that's the price we pay
When interests clash in the corporate way

[Verse 2]
Managers might choose projects way too conservative
When shareholders want risks that could be lucrative
Or they might spend on perks and fancy office space
While creditors worry about the debt they face
These conflicts create costs that eat away
At company value every single day

[Chorus]
Agency costs are hiding in the fight
Between the parties who don't see eye to eye
Shareholders, managers, creditors too
Each one's incentive makes the costs accrue
Monitor and bond, that's the price we pay
When interests clash in the corporate way

[Bridge]
Monitoring costs keep watch on what they do
Bonding costs align what they want with you
Residual loss is what still slips on through
These three costs shape how companies grew

[Verse 3]
When debt gets higher, conflicts multiply
Shareholders might gamble, creditors ask why
Asset substitution, underinvestment too
These problems make the agency costs grew
The optimal structure balances it all
Tax benefits versus agency costs' call

[Chorus]
Agency costs are hiding in the fight
Between the parties who don't see eye to eye
Shareholders, managers, creditors too
Each one's incentive makes the costs accrue
Monitor and bond, that's the price we pay
When interests clash in the corporate way

[Outro]
Finding the balance in capital structure's art
Agency costs play the crucial part
When you understand how interests collide
You'll make better choices for the company's ride

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